Recession hits Irish immigration centers in New York

O’Keeffe said the Irish government’s intention is to make ***20 million available for the prestigious scholarships over the next number of years. This is on top of the government’s £2 million ($3m) contribution in 1999 when the program was set up.

“The forthcoming legislation will commit the Irish government to providing up to ****4 million annually over the next number of years provided matching funding can be raised from private donors by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance,” said O’Keeffe.

The U.S.-Ireland Alliance set up the George Mitchell Scholarship Program in 1999 to mark Senator George Mitchell’s contribution to the peace process in the North.